Ireland post Mortem/new coach/new team thread

[Standulstermen]

First topic message reminder :

May as well let the match thread die and have all our ramblings in one place.

Is kidney gone?
Who will be the new coach?
Will BOD, D'arcy, ROG retire?
Changes for France?


All in here guys.

My own selection for France would be

Kilcoyne (Healy if allowed)
Best
Ross
Ryan
Henderson (would be tempted by him at 6 but our tight 5 needs ball carriers)
POM
SOB
Heaslip
Murray
Jackson
Gilroy
Marshall
BOD
?
Kearney

Cronin, court, fitz, DOC, O'Donnell, Reddan, madigan, ?

Can't decide on who spdeserves the wing/outside back bench slot. Best, Kearney need good games.

[UlstermaninGlasgow]

If it comes to it, I'd have Humph at the top in a heartbeat. Him and Logan are the reason we are where we are... If Ulster give up Humph and Leinster give up Schmidt to the IRFU then we would be in a much better place.

Dingo would be perfect. Look at how well he did with the schitt he has to deal with in Aus, that pack is woeful... (In all fairness he's got a few gems now but overall it's not the greatest)

And he's not afraid of using youth. Look at O'Connor, Pocock, Cooper, Beale etc... He's a strong willed person who'll do what's needed. I honestly would love him to be Ireland's next coach

[Taffineastbourne]

As an outsider I consider this result to be a turning point for Ireland.Tis time for the new broom that you have been calling for for some time.Enough is enough.
Choose wisely .I wish you well.Mike Ruddock,anyone?

[SecretFly]

What are the IRFU doing wrong?

Yes, they're giving out central contracts..and coaching ones...but apart from that, what's wrong at IRFU level that will transmit to the pitch if solved, because the pitch is all I'm concerned with.

If something in suit land has a real effect on what happens on the playing field (in a positive way) then I'd be for change... but if it's just new money ideas and new signs and symbols and new titles for people who already exist (Director of Exquisit Rugby Excellence, Lord Overseer of Corporate Cucumber Sandwich Dispersal) then I think nothing major needs to happen at high end IRFU level.

I think structurally things are ok...someone tell me I'm wrong and where, I'm willing to listen.

Coach choosing and mixed messages coming from academies ('we've got everything we need coming through' OR 'we're still short of truly competitive scrum workhorses and might have to keep chasing abroad to get them') might be the only ones I see... not being a rabidly over-eager corporate IRFU watcher

[Gibson]

Now hear this posters.

Please do not adjust your present mindsets. Hold those logical coaching replacement thoughts for later. All logic has been temporarily suspended. SIN is in da room.

Earls lernt his rugby running from cops in Moyross. He never knew what it was to pass de gear on the run loike. Its a knacker. Simple.

[SecretFly]

run Earlsie Run!

[Gibson]

What are the IRFU doing wrong?

Yes, they're giving out central contracts..and coaching ones...but apart from that, what's wrong at IRFU level that will transmit to the pitch if solved, because the pitch is all I'm concerned with.

If something in suit land has a real effect on what happens on the playing field (in a positive way) then I'd be for change... but if it's just new money ideas and new signs and symbols and new titles for people who already exist (Director of Exquisit Rugby Excellence, Lord Overseer of Corporate Cucumber Sandwich Dispersal) then I think nothing major needs to happen at high end IRFU level.

I think structurally things are ok...someone tell me I'm wrong and where, I'm willing to listen.

Coach choosing and mixed messages coming from academies ('we've got everything we need coming through' OR 'we're still short of truly competitive scrum workhorses and might have to keep chasing abroad to get them') might be the only ones I see... not being a rabidly over-eager corporate IRFU watcher

Now you are just being silly Fly.

They choose the coach? Eddie? Deccie? We need pickers who can make the roysh pick. Otherwise... Get ma drift yungfella me lad?

[SecretFly]

Oh well then!!!...Get O'Shea in....he darn well picked Lancaster for the English.

Come to think of it...get a pyre ready, we have a traitor in our midst in RTE!

[Gibson]

Notch, if rugby matches were as long as football ones we would also have lost to Wales after being 30 points up. That was bad enough. But Scotland are a really, really poor side. It is shameful to lose to them, but under the statistics of Sunday it is even worse.

Short, sharp and true. The Truth always is.

[Gibson]

Oh well then!!!...Get O'Shea in....he darn well picked Lancaster for the English.

Come to think of it...get a pyre ready, we have a traitor in our midst in RTE!

O' Shea is far too intelligent to get caught up in the Irish setup yet. I say yet.

He will wait until the time is right. He is a hero at a club who were in the depths of despair, not 4 years ago. A club, who could now dominate European Rugby for years to come. Specially when the Jeff get all that dosh from BT.

He's no gob.

[Feckless Rogue]

There's literally nothing I can say about the current team and coach that I haven't been repeatedly saying since 2010.

I do think two 6 Nations Championships is enough time for a new coach to build a good team for the next RWC.

I think the IRFU made a huge mistake two years ago and unless they make some very good decision very soon they'll have botched half a decade of Ireland's development.

[SecretFly]

O'Shea's no gob... but planning and thinking is I assume more his line of work.

If he takes a behind the scenes thinking and planning job with IRFU fine... but as a Team Manager overseeing the workings of an under-coach? I don't like that idea. I don't like a Head Coach having to publically answer to another Head manager who gets his picture taken at games (like Rob Andrew sitting behind Johnson of Humphreys sitting behind Brian McLaughlin)

You either have a coach who can do a job or you don't...the admin stuff should be away from field day - too many visible 'bosses' annoys me.

[Sin é]

If it comes to it, I'd have Humph at the top in a heartbeat. Him and Logan are the reason we are where we are... If Ulster give up Humph and Leinster give up Schmidt to the IRFU then we would be in a much better place.

Dingo would be perfect. Look at how well he did with the schitt he has to deal with in Aus, that pack is woeful... (In all fairness he's got a few gems now but overall it's not the greatest)

And he's not afraid of using youth. Look at O'Connor, Pocock, Cooper, Beale etc... He's a strong willed person who'll do what's needed. I honestly would love him to be Ireland's next coach

So remind me what Humphs has achieved (other than arresting a downward spirral with the help of a £1m handout from the IRFU)?

edit: Dingo would do well in Ireland. Well able to hang his assistant coaches out to dry.

[Gibson]

O'Shea's no gob... but planning and thinking is I assume more his line of work.

If he takes a behind the scenes thinking and planning job with IRFU fine... but as a Team Manager overseeing the workings of an under-coach? I don't like that idea. I don't like a Head Coach having to publically answer to another Head manager who gets his picture taken at games (like Rob Andrew sitting behind Johnson of Humphreys sitting behind Brian McLaughlin)

You either have a coach who can do a job or you don't...the admin stuff should be away from field day - too many visible 'bosses' annoys me.

A chara, I never said he was a coach. But he knows the game inside-out. Is a strong political force. You need that in business. Your 1st line is exactly what I mean. It all drifts down from there.

[red_stag]

Anyone else actually feel optimistic for Ireland moving forwars?

[Thomond]

Don't care about this we have injuries shoite, every team has injuries, the fact that we have feic all people to replace them is down to Kidney not giving guys a go at a spot until he absolutely had to.


Not much more I can say on the game, Butchered 3 or 4 try chances, two sure fire ones. Our back play was still rather awful, lineout was poor, Best didn't have a great day and our lifting was mediocre too.

We won't progress until we change our gameplan (if we actually have one), it doesn't suit our team personnell at at all and is holding us back.

The talent in Ireland is as good as it's ever been, with a change in philosophy things could go well.

[UlstermaninGlasgow]

Stag I do feel optimistic, but that's probably due to the feeling that the tactics might change now there's nothing to lose. Kidney won't have his contract renewed, no matter what happens. Whoever steps into the breach will be losing BOD, ROG, D'Arcy, DOC and probably POC and Ferris as well. But the guys coming through, while not having the X-Factor guys like BOD and POC have, will make up for it at least with the increased fitness and strength of the newer generation. There's a wealth of talented individuals around who will be the core of the team for the next decade. The next man's job is to turn that group of individuals into a well oiled and fully functioning team that can challenge the 4N and Eng/Fra on a regular basis.

[Sin é]

Don't care about this we have injuries shoite, every team has injuries, the fact that we have feic all people to replace them is down to Kidney not giving guys a go at a spot until he absolutely had to.

Who has been missing out? When should they have been selected?

[SecretFly]

Anyone else actually feel optimistic for Ireland moving forwars?

I am............ if it happens. If it's delayed until the next WC?...hmmmm... like Feckless suggests, this rot has to stop and players of this new decade have to be given their real chances now with real design and purpose behind the effort.

[Rory_Gallagher]

Anyone else actually feel optimistic for Ireland moving forwars?

Yes, considering the young talent we have. I think we are very fortunate to have the players we do at our disposal. The question is, will they be utilised properly and will the right combinations be selected? Ignoring provincial bias at the same time.

[Thomond]

Don't care about this we have injuries shoite, every team has injuries, the fact that we have feic all people to replace them is down to Kidney not giving guys a go at a spot until he absolutely had to.

Who has been missing out? When should they have been selected?

One of Jackson or Madigan should have gone to NZ, we needed to try and develop a tighthead. DOC is playing well enough, but we needed to bring through a younger guy there.

[Notch]

Anyone else actually feel optimistic for Ireland moving forwars?

I really do feel we have the spine of a very talented group of players coming through. If we can just get the right man to coach them we could be looking good. The concern for me is the lack of a clear successor to O'Driscoll/O'Connell as Captain. Heaslip is underwhelming.

Like the previous generation, we have some incredible talents and some problem areas.

[Gibson]

Anyone else actually feel optimistic for Ireland moving forwars?

It is possibly the easiest question to answer Stag. It is not possible for us to move any further backwards (Its Irish logic, foreign people). Worst case scenario is that we carry on as we have done since the Pro-era started.

Wales made the change 2/3 years ago. England saw this and followed suit. Ireland are still watching their X-Factor and dreaming. We have achieved so much with our infrastructure. Only to phhok it all up by appointing the wrong man for the job.

Thats it for me. I said it 4 years ago and you know that well.

EDIT: With the young players we have in situ and with the ones coming through the academies, with Ulster & Leinstuur equiped to dominate Europe for years to come, yes, I am extremely optimistic.

But first, we need Phillo Browne and his D4 honchos, to have learned past lessons. The main one being, NO more Cork Coaches.

[RubyGuby]

Sometimes you have to go backwards to move forwards - This is likely to be Declans last 6 nations - blood the youngsters - get the tournament over with and get the new coaching team to organise it and bring it forward. You have class players who now looked drained of all confidence. With better organisation and structure you will be back competing with the best - Declan has run his course - probably 2 years too much but he's a nice fella

[rodders]

Anyone else actually feel optimistic for Ireland moving forwars?

Our players are shoite, the governing body are a shower of naval gazing, visionless cronies, the fans and media are riddled with provincialism, conservatism and political divisions, the economy is fieced and our national stadium looks like a bedpan...... other than that things aren't too bad.

[doctor_grey]

...........the governing body are a shower of naval gazing, visionless cronies......

Your'e English?

[rodders]

...........the governing body are a shower of naval gazing, visionless cronies......

Your'e English?

Jeebus no....things aren't that bad ... .....

[Standulstermen]

I feel more positive after the Scotland game than after the other two bizarrely. If the IRFU can appoint the right coach and give him the remit to build his own side (no central contract defining selection bollox) then things could be looking up.

Healy
Sherry
Furlong
Henderson
Browne
POM
O'Donnell
O'Brien
Marmion/McGrath
Jackson/madigan/JJ
Gilroy
Marshall/McSharry
Farrell/griffin
Earls?/O'Halloran
Zebo/henshaw

Are a list of very promising (or better) players 25 or under (I think at least). There is talent there to work with when you consider our 25+ yr old guys who will still be there in 2015. On the captaincy, had sexton stayed at Leinster I would have certainly gone for him. As it is I'm not certain but I wouldn't resent giving to a younger player after they had become established a bit.

[Gibson]

Anyone else actually feel optimistic for Ireland moving forwars?

Our players are shoite, the governing body are a shower of naval gazing, visionless cronies, the fans and media are riddled with provincialism, conservatism and political divisions, the economy is fieced and our national stadium looks like a bedpan...... other than that things aren't too bad.

I love you Rodders.

I remember Twickers. You Rock dude.

Its just great to be Irish. Always. Even if we are mostly shoite at most things in Sport. We are World Class at all the other stuff. And we laugh and argue a lot together. 1st to get laid, all over the Planet. I think thats a good ting in Life.

Believe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=33Jaodra7AY

[Sin é]

I feel more positive after the Scotland game than after the other two bizarrely. If the IRFU can appoint the right coach and give him the remit to build his own side (no central contract defining selection bollox) then things could be looking up.

Healy
Sherry
Furlong
Henderson
Browne
POM
O'Donnell
O'Brien
Marmion/McGrath
Jackson/madigan/JJ
Gilroy
Marshall/McSharry
Farrell/griffin
Earls?/O'Halloran
Zebo/henshaw

Are a list of very promising (or better) players 25 or under (I think at least). There is talent there to work with when you consider our 25+ yr old guys who will still be there in 2015. On the captaincy, had sexton stayed at Leinster I would have certainly gone for him. As it is I'm not certain but I wouldn't resent giving to a younger player after they had become established a bit.

Whats the problem with central contracts? Sean O'Brien doesn't have a central contract and he still starts.

Which newbie would you give the captaincy to? Marshall or Jackson?

By the way, did anyone hear the RTE panel saying that Anscome had said that Jackson wasn't up to it (mentioned on RTE coverage yesterday)? If so, he should be sacked.

[rodders]

Anyone else actually feel optimistic for Ireland moving forwars?

Our players are shoite, the governing body are a shower of naval gazing, visionless cronies, the fans and media are riddled with provincialism, conservatism and political divisions, the economy is fieced and our national stadium looks like a bedpan...... other than that things aren't too bad.

I love you Rodders.

I remember Twickers. You Rock dude.

Its just great to be Irish. Always. Even if we are mostly shoite at most things in Sport. We are World Class at all the other stuff. And we laugh and argue a lot together. 1st to get laid, all over the Planet. I think thats a good ting in Life.

Believe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=33Jaodra7AY

You the man Gibbo!

[Sin é]

But first, we need Phillo Browne and his D4 honchos, to have learned past lessons. The main one being, NO more Cork Coaches.

What has Browne done wrong other than been relatively neutral - one of the few IRFU blazers who isn't attached to any Province. Wiggleworth maybe a problem though

[doctor_grey]

...........the governing body are a shower of naval gazing, visionless cronies......

You're English?

Jeebus no....things aren't that bad ... .....

That's a relief. For a moment I thought you were really depressed.
If it will make you feel better, we can give you Chris Ashton.

[Standulstermen]

Gross oversimplification Sin.
He stated that he wasn't sure if Jackson was ready. He also stated that no fly half is the finished article at 21. Fair enough comments. To attach anything more to those comments you are no better than the McGurks and Hooks of the world. He actually expressed the same opinion at an area 22 event in Belfast the week previously to little or no outcry.

There is nothing wrong with central contracts as long as they don't dictate selection that is the only point.

We need to identify youngsters who will take us to the 2015 RWC and beyond before deciding on a new captain if indeed we go down that road. Sexton of the current crop of players would be my pick in the meantime although playing in France might not help him get it.

[Gibson]

SIN, mo chara, you are essential.

Sexton should be Captain. Anyone else who cant see that, is cerberally challenged.

Like Heaslip's haircut.

[Feckless Rogue]

The captaincy is a difficult one. I never liked the idea of Heaslip as captain. Especially with O'Driscoll still there (and O'Connell hopefully recovering from injury). Either of those two should be captain as long as they're good enough to be starting.

After that there's Best. Mostly excellent but the lineout goes to pieces under pressure far to often for my liking and the captain has to lead by example. It's not good for team morale to see the captain struggling like that. And unfortunately it really does happen fairly regularly.

Sexton. Has hardly ever played well for Ireland and doesn't deserve to be captain until he does, and I don't like the idea of the flyhalf as captain anyway. Behind him, I think we've got some good players but backs are too far away from the action and the refs ear. Has to be a player from 1 to 9.

After Wood, O'Driscoll and O'Connell nobody really stacks up. We should stick with BOD or POC til they're gone.

[Sin é]

Gross oversimplification Sin.
He stated that he wasn't sure if Jackson was ready. He also stated that no fly half is the finished article at 21. Fair enough comments. To attach anything more to those comments you are no better than the McGurks and Hooks of the world. He actually expressed the same opinion at an area 22 event in Belfast the week previously to little or no outcry.

There is nothing wrong with central contracts as long as they don't dictate selection that is the only point.

We need to identify youngsters who will take us to the 2015 RWC and beyond before deciding on a new captain if indeed we go down that road. Sexton of the current crop of players would be my pick in the meantime although playing in France might not help him get it.

What do you think that does to Jackson's confidence? Anscombe should be sacked for making comments like that. Sexton does not inspire confidence. He has admitted that his team mates find him hard going and that he has frequently had to apologise to his Leinster team mates. How in the name of god is that going to inspire the young players around him. He is no Roy Keane that can get away with tearing into team mates.

[Notch]

By the way, did anyone hear the RTE panel saying that Anscome had said that Jackson wasn't up to it (mentioned on RTE coverage yesterday)? If so, he should be sacked.

He was quoted as saying; "Are they ready? Who knows? When's 'ready'? No one is complete at that age. In all my years in this game I haven't met a 21-year-old who's got his game mastered." He then twisted the dagger further by saying;

""Paddy is a great kid with a good work ethic, and he's got what a good No 10 needs, which is self-belief. I rate him and he's a good footballer. From him and from Luke, you're going to see energy and confidence and vibrancy; they are strong defenders and will want to get involved."

My God... sack him immediately! Outrageous he should say that. To come out in the media and say one of your players has a bit left to learn but has self-belief, a good work ethic, good footballing skills, is a strong defender and that you rate him... well it's a shocker. A real hatchet job from the coach

It's probably the nicest thing I've heard Mark Anscombe say in the media since Christmas. He's a famous hard ass

[Sin é]

By the way, did anyone hear the RTE panel saying that Anscome had said that Jackson wasn't up to it (mentioned on RTE coverage yesterday)? If so, he should be sacked.

He was quoted as saying; "Are they ready? Who knows? When's 'ready'? No one is complete at that age. In all my years in this game I haven't met a 21-year-old who's got his game mastered." He then twisted the dagger further by saying;

""Paddy is a great kid with a good work ethic, and he's got what a good No 10 needs, which is self-belief. I rate him and he's a good footballer. From him and from Luke, you're going to see energy and confidence and vibrancy; they are strong defenders and will want to get involved."

My God... sack him immediately! Outrageous he should say that. To come out in the media and say one of your players has a bit left to learn but has self-belief, a good work ethic, good footballing skills, is a strong defender and that you rate him... well it's a shocker. A real hatchet job from the coach

It's probably the nicest thing I've heard Mark Anscombe say in the media since Christmas. He's a famous hard ass

Well he should choose his words more carefully - RTE interpreted what Anscombe as saying that Jackson wasn't up to it.

[MrsP]

Or maybe you +/- RTE should listen or read more carefully before making daft statements!

[Notch]

Or maybe the RTE panel are pompous windbags who took one quote out of context and even then nobody had the sense to realise that the actual quote he used didn't even support the point they were trying to make.

[Sin é]

Or maybe the RTE panel are pompous windbags who took one quote out of context and even then nobody had the sense to realise that the actual quote he used didn't even support the point they were trying to make.

His comments are not exactly a ringing endorsement. I just can't imagine Joe Schmidt saying that about any of his players. Penney may be an exceptionally positive coach when talking about his players, but he has said that Gatland should be looking at Kilcoyne for the B+I Lions as he would be great on the hard ground of Australia. He also backs Zebo to make the Lions.

If Anscombe is such a hard nosed coach, it will really be interesting to see what happens if Ulster form drops a bit.

[neilthom7]

Or maybe RTE just want him to fail because he kept ROG out of the team, such as the comments made on Against the Head tonight they refused to say anything about ROG thy said he would have said I am going for posts and thats it, really? Because the last pen 5 before the end he went for corner when Heaslip told him too, Quinlan wouldn't criticise O'Gara because they are mates and the other 2 were complete clowns.

[Notch]

Its not exactly a ringing endorsement. I just can't imagine Joe Schmidt saying that about any of his players.

If Anscombe is such a hard nosed coach, it will really be interesting to see what happens if Ulster form drops a bit.

What do you think he said? He said Jackson still has a lot to learn as all players do at his age but then gave a list of positives about his game that he would bring to it. I think you would struggle to find an Ulster fan who disagrees with any of it- in fact he made no real negative points whatsoever. And it's all true, no player making his test debut is the finished article and no 21-year old is the finished article. EVERYONE grows into it. There is always a learning curve and players peak in their late twenties so ready/not ready is a red herring.

Thats his way, completely frank and honest. He's been scathing of recent performances. He's a stick man, not a carrot man. I'm on the fence about it. The bad cop routine has seen us make a big jump forward but it hasn't arrested our recent slide although thats as much to do with injuries and international absentees. It's his first year and the jury is still out for me. But he's been notably angry at recent performances.

I like him in that he's honest. The Kidney era has left me incredibly sick of bullshoite omerta coaching talk. The art of saying nothing masking the fact you have nothing to say. Whilst sometimes I feel like Anscombe is too hard to please, I've been incredibly annoyed by players coming out of the Ireland camp and expressing sentiments like "We don't know whats going wrong". Its the coaches job to sit them down and make them see whats going wrong, and then have them work on it. Kidney isn't doing this, patently. After every game Anscombe has things to work on, things he is unhappy with, regardless of the result. We're striving constantly for improvement.

The concern is if he is to severe, not all players will respond to it. Some might need a pat on the back as well as a kick up the arse. You've got to vary it a bit. Otherwise it can begin to wear on players. Interesting to see if we can turn our recent slide around.

[Sin é]

Its not exactly a ringing endorsement. I just can't imagine Joe Schmidt saying that about any of his players.

If Anscombe is such a hard nosed coach, it will really be interesting to see what happens if Ulster form drops a bit.

What do you think he said? He said Jackson still has a lot to learn as all players do at his age but then gave a list of positives about his game that he would bring to it. I think you would struggle to find an Ulster fan who disagrees with any of it. It's all true. No player making his test debut is the finished article. EVERYONE grows into it. There is always a learning curve so ready/not ready is a red herring.

I'm going on what the commentary team said something like - "Anscombe hasn't endorsed Jackson's selection."

Thats his way, completely frank and honest. He's been scathing of recent performances. He's a stick man, not a carrot man. I'm on the fence about it. The bad cop routine has seen us make a big jump forward but it hasn't arrested our recent slide but thats as much to do with injuries and international absentees. It's his first year and the jury is still out for me.

... and the poor performances of the international side has nothing to do with injuries!

I like him in that he's honest. The Kidney era has left me relatively sick of bullshoite omerta coaching talk. Whilst sometimes I feel like Anscombe is too hard to please, I've been incredibly annoyed by players coming out of the Ireland camp and expressing sentiments like "We don't know whats going wrong". Its the coaches job to sit them down and make them see whats going wrong, and then have them work on it. Kidney isn't doing this, patently. After every game Anscombe has things to work on, things he is unhappy with, regardless of the result. We're striving constantly for improvement.

Players will tell you nothing because if they are honest they will get hammered for it.

The concern is if he is to severe, not all players will respond to it. Some might need a pat on the back as well as a kick up the arse.

I don't think Kidney is a walk-over discipline wise - Mal O'Kelly was dropped from the international squad because of his time keeping. I doubt if BOD thinks he is a walkover either.

[Notch]

I'm going on what the commentary team said something like - "Anscombe hasn't endorsed Jackson's selection."

Well, don't you think you could go by what was actually said?

As for the rest- you seem to be reducing everything to a binary argument. That was just my opinion, not a position to be argued against.

[Gibson]

The captaincy is a difficult one. I never liked the idea of Heaslip as captain. Especially with O'Driscoll still there (and O'Connell hopefully recovering from injury). Either of those two should be captain as long as they're good enough to be starting.

After that there's Best. Mostly excellent but the lineout goes to pieces under pressure far to often for my liking and the captain has to lead by example. It's not good for team morale to see the captain struggling like that. And unfortunately it really does happen fairly regularly.

Sexton. Has hardly ever played well for Ireland and doesn't deserve to be captain until he does, and I don't like the idea of the flyhalf as captain anyway. Behind him, I think we've got some good players but backs are too far away from the action and the refs ear. Has to be a player from 1 to 9.

After Wood, O'Driscoll and O'Connell nobody really stacks up. We should stick with BOD or POC til they're gone.

WHAT??!!!
Jeezuz Feckless, are you on drugs or what man? I am. But you got ripped-off.

Sexton would have nailed that game by 20 pts plus. Everyone knows that. Silly.

Still love ya mind. Bless.

[Feckless Rogue]

The captaincy is a difficult one. I never liked the idea of Heaslip as captain. Especially with O'Driscoll still there (and O'Connell hopefully recovering from injury). Either of those two should be captain as long as they're good enough to be starting.

After that there's Best. Mostly excellent but the lineout goes to pieces under pressure far to often for my liking and the captain has to lead by example. It's not good for team morale to see the captain struggling like that. And unfortunately it really does happen fairly regularly.

Sexton. Has hardly ever played well for Ireland and doesn't deserve to be captain until he does, and I don't like the idea of the flyhalf as captain anyway. Behind him, I think we've got some good players but backs are too far away from the action and the refs ear. Has to be a player from 1 to 9.

After Wood, O'Driscoll and O'Connell nobody really stacks up. We should stick with BOD or POC til they're gone.

WHAT??!!!
Jeezuz Feckless, are you on drugs or what man? I am. But you got ripped-off.

Sexton would have nailed that game by 20 pts plus. Everyone knows that. Silly.

Still love ya mind. Bless.

Ok he's been much better recently in green. I'm just in a very negative mood.

Do ye think we need an outsider to come in and avoid the provincial rubbish?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WU06briKr6k

[rodders]

For those picking apart Jacksons performance, which I though was excellent generally, maybe look back at some of ROG's back in 2002, when he was in his second international season or in 2007..... Humphries missed plenty of easy kicks too (France 2000 e.g.) as did Elwood, even when they were seasoned pros.

Gregor Townsend was Lions 10 and couldn't kick for Toffee, even Wilkinson has had ups and downs with the boot.

People have short memories.

How many other Irish fly-halves have been capped and played in HEC finals at 21?

His place kicking is not up to scratch right now but the other aspects of his game are all at a level of maturity and skill which belies his years and his all round skill set stacks up favourably against his more senior Irish peers.

[SecretFly]

Nice wiseass in the Independent..................

Headline:

Kidney Resigned........................................... to losing Sexton for French game.


Nice work lads...up all night trying to perfect that shock for the cornflakes brigade.

[GunsGerms]

For those picking apart Jacksons performance, which I though was excellent generally, maybe look back at some of ROG's back in 2002, when he was in his second international season or in 2007..... Humphries missed plenty of easy kicks too (France 2000 e.g.) as did Elwood, even when they were seasoned pros.

Gregor Townsend was Lions 10 and couldn't kick for Toffee, even Wilkinson has had ups and downs with the boot.

People have short memories.

How many other Irish fly-halves have been capped and played in HEC finals at 21?

His place kicking is not up to scratch right now but the other aspects of his game are all at a level of maturity and skill which belies his years and his all round skill set stacks up favourably against his more senior Irish peers.

I thought he was very good too. His kicking was surprisingly bad though. I think I could have done better but I think that is down to a couple of things:

Nerves
Bad coaching
and lack of a second kicker in the team to relieve pressure

All in all he did quite well I thought and Im not too worried about him. I would like to see him, Mcfadden, Kearney, Sexton and Madigan to spend some extra training hours with a specialist kicking coach to fix this problem we have right now.

Its not actually that difficult. Note to Deccie, can you please give Dave Alred a call and get him to spend some time with the above mentioned players.

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